How to Weatherproof Your Wood Arbor

What You'll Need

Paint

Sealer

Insecticide

Paintbrushes

Wood preservative

What You'll Need

Paint

Sealer

Insecticide

Paintbrushes

Wood preservative

If you take care of your wood arbor and maintain it properly, it will serve you for many years. More often than not, your wood arbor will be a prominent focal point in your garden. It will also enhance the beautiful and comfortable atmosphere of your garden. Make sure that you protect your wooden arbor from the weather on a regular basis.

Step 1 – Sealing the Arbor

Keep in mind that your wooden arbor can crack or start rotting if it is excessively exposed to wind, sun, rain, ice and snow. Use a sealer to protect any areas of bare wood, to avoid further rotting.

Step 2 – Painting the Arbor

Now it is time to paint the arbor. Make sure that you use exterior paint because such paint is resistant to weather, therefore it will help your wooden arbor to last longer. Remember that you must repaint your wooden arbor every two years. This is because as time passes, paint tends to start cracking and fall off the surface of your arbor.

If you notice an area of paint which is starting to peel, touch it up immediately. In this way, you will prevent small peeling areas to aggravate further and become a potential problem to your entire arbor. Always remember to keep a watchful eye upon your wooden arbor because if you do not take care of it and you do not maintain it regularly, all the paint can fall and your arbor. Remember that prevention is better than cure.

Step 3 – Applying a Wood Preservative

Use a wood preservative to protect your arbor, not only from the weather but also from insects and other pests. If you notice a rotting or weathered spot on your wooden arbor, cover it with a wood preservative immediately.

Remember that you need to weatherproof your wooden arbor to keep insects and pests away as well. Weathered and distressed wood tends to attract many pests. Keep in mind that mice, ants, moles, woodworms and termites can attack your arbor unpredictably and cause a lot of severe damage to it. Pests, insects and the weather are the deadliest enemies that an arbor made out of wood can ever have.

Step 4 – Using an Insecticide

After weatherproofing the wooden arbor, you can finish with a chemical insect repellent or insecticide. There is definitely no need to use powerful chemicals, and make sure that the chemicals in the insecticide do not cause more damage to your arbor than the insects or the weather conditions. Select a good quality insecticide and apply it regularly to your arbor’s feet.

Keep in mind that insecticides are available either in pellet form or as a spray. Remember to prune and cut nearby plants, bushes and other vegetation so that the insects and pests which can eat the wood of your arbor cannot hide in them. Insects are less likely to breed if the bushes in your garden are pruned.